Reflection on Subscription to Digital DirectionsFebruary, 2010 –Ongoing
I subscribed to both the e-zine and the print edition of Digital Directions (Digital Directions, 2010) which is published by Education Week. I have found it to be an invaluable resource for keeping current on technology in education. One of my other field-based activities was using Planbookedu.com, a cloud-based planbook. I found out about that from Digital Directions.
I also found a website called Engrade that allowed you to post grades online so they could be accessed by parents and students. They could comment on the scores and I could tell when they were viewed. I was all excited to start posting grades and issuing passwords etc. Then at back-to-school night I discovered that only about thirty percent of my student’s families had regular internet access. That was disappointing.
I was also just reading a great blog about how much computers in education have changed, or not changed in 25 years (Ledesma, P., 2010). The author has a commercial of a Commodore 64 computer from the 1980’s that was pitched with the promise of improving student test scores. Of course, that pitch is still true today. He ends with the idea that many educators are still using stuck in the models of the past, like the Commodore 64.
I have also attended webinars I heard about through Digital Directions. One was entitled Can Web 2.0 Save Teacher Development?, which is another one of my field-based activities. As my district moves more and more towards online training, I want to be part of it. The various blogs, comments, surveys and other web 2.0 aspects make me feel a part of the larger educational technology community.
Another aspect of Digital Directions I find invaluable as a technology facilitator are the news-feeds. After taking the different courses in this program, it’s fascinating to me to see the news stories about the integration of web 2.0 in schools across the country. I have read articles on misuse of cameras in school laptops and districts that are allowing students to use their own smart phones to leverage technology.
Overall, I have found the information in Digital Directions to be extremely helpful in keeping abreast of developing technology. What’s even better is it’s free.
Self Assessment
I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge and information from this magazine. I find I can almost always integrate the information with what I am learning, and have learned, in this masters program. I am excited to be able to synthesize the two.
Learn as a Learner
When I had a desk job as an instructional coach I spent a lot of time on the computer and checking email. It was easy for me to quickly click on the link from an email from Digital Directions. It is more difficult now that I am back in the classroom. I am a visual learner so reading about the latest in ed tech is an easy way for me to learn. I have enjoyed the interactions with others on the comments, surveys, and webinars.
Lifelong Learning Skills
I will continue to use Digital Directions as an important resource to keep current on educational technology. This will also be a source of information and articles to share with colleagues and at trainings. I want to continue to research how best to use ed tech in both my classroom and school site.
Implementation of ISTE Indicators
TF-I.B.1: “Model appropriate strategies essential to continued growth and development of the understanding of technology operations and concepts” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 224) This allows me to keep current on technology in education.
TF-III.E.2: “Use major and research findings and trends related to the use of technology in education to support integration throughout the curriculum” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 229) There are research articles, blogs, and white papers written by experts in educational technology. TF.V.C.4: “Use a variety of distance learning systems and use at least one to support personal and professional development” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 232) I have attended various webinars either sponsored by or linked to by Digital Directions.
TF-VIII.A.1: “Discuss and evaluate current research in educational technology” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 239) I have commented on research articles posted on the website.
TF-VIII.B.1: “Discuss the history of technology use in schools” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 239) Many of the articles use the history of technology as a starting point.
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0:New schools, new tools. Eugene, OR:International Society for Technology in Education.
Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards:What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education
Activity #5
Reflection on Subscription to Digital Directions February, 2010 –Ongoing
I subscribed to both the e-zine and the print edition of Digital Directions (Digital Directions, 2010) which is published by Education Week. I have found it to be an invaluable resource for keeping current on technology in education. One of my other field-based activities was using Planbookedu.com, a cloud-based planbook. I found out about that from Digital Directions.
I also found a website called Engrade that allowed you to post grades online so they could be accessed by parents and students. They could comment on the scores and I could tell when they were viewed. I was all excited to start posting grades and issuing passwords etc. Then at back-to-school night I discovered that only about thirty percent of my student’s families had regular internet access. That was disappointing.
I was also just reading a great blog about how much computers in education have changed, or not changed in 25 years (Ledesma, P., 2010). The author has a commercial of a Commodore 64 computer from the 1980’s that was pitched with the promise of improving student test scores. Of course, that pitch is still true today. He ends with the idea that many educators are still using stuck in the models of the past, like the Commodore 64.
I have also attended webinars I heard about through Digital Directions. One was entitled Can Web 2.0 Save Teacher Development?, which is another one of my field-based activities. As my district moves more and more towards online training, I want to be part of it. The various blogs, comments, surveys and other web 2.0 aspects make me feel a part of the larger educational technology community.
Another aspect of Digital Directions I find invaluable as a technology facilitator are the news-feeds. After taking the different courses in this program, it’s fascinating to me to see the news stories about the integration of web 2.0 in schools across the country. I have read articles on misuse of cameras in school laptops and districts that are allowing students to use their own smart phones to leverage technology.
Overall, I have found the information in Digital Directions to be extremely helpful in keeping abreast of developing technology. What’s even better is it’s free.
Self Assessment
I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge and information from this magazine. I find I can almost always integrate the information with what I am learning, and have learned, in this masters program. I am excited to be able to synthesize the two.
Learn as a Learner
When I had a desk job as an instructional coach I spent a lot of time on the computer and checking email. It was easy for me to quickly click on the link from an email from Digital Directions. It is more difficult now that I am back in the classroom. I am a visual learner so reading about the latest in ed tech is an easy way for me to learn. I have enjoyed the interactions with others on the comments, surveys, and webinars.
Lifelong Learning Skills
I will continue to use Digital Directions as an important resource to keep current on educational technology. This will also be a source of information and articles to share with colleagues and at trainings. I want to continue to research how best to use ed tech in both my classroom and school site.
Implementation of ISTE Indicators
TF-I.B.1: “Model appropriate strategies essential to continued growth and development of the understanding of technology operations and concepts” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 224) This allows me to keep current on technology in education.
TF-III.E.2: “Use major and research findings and trends related to the use of technology in education to support integration throughout the curriculum” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 229) There are research articles, blogs, and white papers written by experts in educational technology. TF.V.C.4: “Use a variety of distance learning systems and use at least one to support personal and professional development” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 232) I have attended various webinars either sponsored by or linked to by Digital Directions.
TF-VIII.A.1: “Discuss and evaluate current research in educational technology” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 239) I have commented on research articles posted on the website.
TF-VIII.B.1: “Discuss the history of technology use in schools” ” (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 239) Many of the articles use the history of technology as a starting point.
References:
Digital Directions. (2010). Trends and advice for K-12 technology leaders. Retreived from http://www.edweek.org/dd/?intc=thed
Ledesma,, P. (2010, November 10) 25 Years of Computers in Education: What Has Changed? [ Web log] Retreived from http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/leading_from_the_classroom/2010/11/as_black_friday_ and_cybermonday.html
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0:New schools, new tools. Eugene, OR:International Society for Technology in Education.
Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards:What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education